Father Gregorios put his stole on and lit the charcoal in the incense censor, then placed frankincense on the charcoal.
"Let my prayer arise as incense," he said.
"Let my prayer arise as incense," the nun repeated quietly. The Father sensed the wet ground and the people around them who had started to gather. The men wore black bands on their arms and the women were all dressed in black.
"Say hello to your father, my angel ... a double-edged knife to lose a son and a grandson," lamented Penelope. The Father started chanting, "Among the spirits of the righteous, give rest, Oh Savior, to the souls of your servants Nikolas and ... your angel ... Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Everyone crossed themselves. The Father continued, "Oh God of spirits and of all flesh, you have trampled upon death and have abolished the power of the devil, giving life to your world. Give rest to the souls of your departed servants Nikolas and his son, in a place of light, in a place where there is no pain, sorrow, or suffering. As a good and loving
God ..."
Everybody chanted together, "Eternal be their memory." It was repeated three times and the Father finished by saying, "May their memory be eternal." He took his stole off and kissed it as Dr. Tsipras came from behind.
Penelope was shaking and could not stand up; the old nun was helping her. Two German soldiers came right behind Dr. Tsipras, who glanced at Father Gregorios. They obeyed and went over to arrest the priest. Upon seeing this, Penelope stood up and screamed:
"You killed my son!" She rushed and grabbed the doctor by the neck, letting go of him only when the soldier hit her in between her shoulder blades and she collapsed, but not before her nails had dug deep into Dr. Tsipras' face, tearing his flesh.
"Take this crazy bitch to Daphni Hospital," he ordered the Germans. Penelope resisted violently but the doctor gave her a shot in the arm and she surrendered to the drug within a few minutes.
Anna glared at Dr. Tsipras, "If there is a God … " She stopped and spoke no more; she just looked heavenward. The old nun helped her and they walked back arm-in-arm to the taxi.
"Kolonaki please," said Anna to the driver. Both she and the nun were in shock as the taxi took them to Anna's apartment. "This man is a kakourgos," repeated the nun all the time. "So evil."
Dr. Tsipras went with the Germans to the Gestapo headquarters to deliver Father Gregorios. It wasn't long before Melpomeni appeared at Anna's apartment and, using her key, gained entrance without knocking. Anna had just closed her eyes and tried to organize her thoughts. Next to her was the old nun, holding Anna's hand and giving her comfort. "God has a plan for all this, Anna. Let's not judge his will."